In the second novel, he makes a brief appearance and teaches the protagonist Yang Guo the Dog Beating Staff Technique before dying together with his old rival Ouyang Feng.

Hong Qigong makes his first appearance when Huang Rong is preparing a dish, beggar's chicken, for Guo Jing.

Huang Rong examines his physical appearance, notices his missing finger and Dog Beating Staff, and concludes that he is the "Northern Beggar".

She then makes a deal with Hong Qigong for him to train Guo Jing in martial arts; in return, she will prepare fine cuisine for him.

Eventually, both Hong Qigong and Ouyang Feng realise that neither of them can win the other so they give up and die together in the midst of laughter and forgotten past feuds.